Fresh violence grips Assam, spreads to new district

Violence spread to Kamrup (rural), which had been unaffected in the recent Bodo-minority immigrants violence, where a group of people torched several vehicles at Rangiya area during the day.

A bus on way to Guwahati was set ablaze at Bhatkuchi, while several other vehicles stranded on the highway were damaged and a wooden bridge set afire at Kekahati by a mob protesting against the torching of a car at Gandhibari in neighbouring Baksa district on Wednesday night, police said.

Fresh violence grips Assam, spreads to new district

The mob, which blocked Udiana Chowk in Rangiya in protest since early morning, also tried to attack the vehicle of Rangiya SDO Barnali Deka, forcing the police to use tear gas and fire in the air to disperse them. Deka was, however, reported to be safe, the police said.

The army staged a flag march at Rangiya area after the incidents, the sources said, adding top district officials are also camping there.

The situation in Kamrup (rural) was stated to be tense but under control.

Fresh violence grips Assam, spreads to new district

More than 77 people had lost their lives and scores were injured with nearly four lakh rendered homeless in one of the worst-ever clashes recently.

Meanwhile, the Assam government has intensified security in and around Guwahati railway station where two special trains carrying panic stricken students and professionals are expected to reach Kokrajhar on Friday from Bengaluru.

"We do not want the situation to aggravate as the passengers will be thronged by the electronic media and any unwanted statement may have an impact over the volatile situation," a senior police official said.